Graceful, lean, and strong—ballet dancers are exceptionally fit, and it all starts at the ballet barre. The ballet barre, or the long wooden rail that lines the walls of dance studios everywhere, supports the dancer while they practice a series of exercises that increase flexibility, strength, and stamina. Consider 5 ways barre-centered workouts are becoming an increasingly popular option for adults.
1. It’s easy on the joints. Some forms of exercise, such as jogging, put too much strain on the joints. Thankfully, barre exercises are like the equivalent of swimming on dry land. The most basic ballet step, plié, is always performed first at the barre. Pliés are graceful squats that allow the body to warm up gradually and safely. This traditional step is followed by other mild movements that increase flexibility and range of motion. So, if you suffer from bad knees, fear not. A barre class geared to adults is a great alternative to intensive weight-bearing exercise.
2. It’s vertically friendly. The ballet barre may run horizontally, but you won’t. Unlike other forms of aerobic exercise that compromise your alignment and practically induce vertigo, almost all exercises are performed in the upright position, encouraging circulation and proper posture. Save for a few exercises that may have you bending forward or backward, the barre offers continual support as you navigate any given exercise. Whether you have one hand on the barre, or perform all movements facing the barre, spending an hour or more on the cold, hard floor of the studio is not in the cards.
3. It’s stabilizing. Barre exercises are designed to strengthen your core, which in turn helps you balance. A major component of barre work includes relevé, or rising to the balls of the feet; this exercise requires a student to engage the abdominal muscles, gluteals, and inner thighs to maintain balance. Since ballet technique requires a dancer to lift, balance, and shift their weight properly, in a traditional ballet class, the ballet barre only serves to prepare dancers to perform combinations across the floor without any support. Barre-only classes, however, allow adult students to remain at the barre.
4. It’s varied. Barre work is anything but mundane; it contains a wonderful variety of exercises and the possibility of combinations is endless. Although ballet technique is practiced in a standard order at the barre, no two classes have to be the same. Every set of barre exercises includes squats, brushes, kicks, and balances. Weight-lifting and some other athletic activities have the tendency to focus only on certain parts of the body, creating dense, overworked muscle groups. Ballet barre classes, on the other hand, offer a well-rounded, full-body workout that promotes lean muscle development.
5. It’s classical training. Unlike sports that are comprised of strictly mechanical exercises, ballet is an artistic discipline. While barre classes provide obvious physical benefits, the classical origins of the exercises performed also offer a measure of culture and insight. After all, ballet was originally performed in the royal court! Adult students venturing into a barre class for the first time have the opportunity to get in shape while also learning grace and poise.
These are 5 ways barre classes are becoming a hit with adult students nationwide. Tip: When possible, check out any prospective teachers’ credentials. If a teacher has little to no ballet experience, consider another class.
About the Author: Bethany Leger taught ballet for 7 years in Dallas, TX. She is the founder of Ballet For Adults, a site dedicated to educating adults about ballet Click here to check out Bethany's site!
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